| Level 3 is specially optimized for broadcaster
customers to provide unprecedented service reliability and the flexibility
to transmit any type of digital video feed, from standard definition
to high definition television (HDTV) for sports and news contribution
and syndication, says a company release.
The new video delivery network serves as an expansion of the existing
relationship between the companies Intelsat and Level 3. Both the
companies have been working together since Intelsat began aggressively
building out its ground network in 2002. Intelsat has utilized Level
3's services to interconnect major points-of-presence (PoPs) and
teleports to provision hybrid space/terrestrial services to customers.
According to the release, the new network will complement Intelsat's
growing global satellite fleet, existing terrestrial network and
recently announced occasional use television partnership with Television
New Zealand (TVNZ). Through a connection to one of the new Intelsat
Video PoPs on the Level 3 network, broadcasters located in many
of the top media centers in North America will be able to transmit
high-quality video content to/from other cities in North America,
as well global locations, via the Intelsat network.
The all-digital network offering is expected to meet an increasing
demand for flexible and reliable, fiber-based, video delivery solutions
in North America by presenting broadcasters with a finely-tuned
distribution network run by knowledgeable operators. The offering
will initially be comprised of PoPs located in many of the largest
U.S. media centers, such as New York, Los Angeles, Washington D.C.,
Denver and San Francisco, with fiber interconnects into additional
North American locations. These PoPs and interconnects will enable
access to media companies, as well as to top news and sports venues
in each region. Furthermore, as customer demand for HDTV or other
services grow, the network will continue to evolve and PoPs in additional
cities will be deployed.
The network is being built using 3rd Generation MPEG-2 equipment
provided by TANDBERG Television. Customers will be able to choose
from various analog, digital compressed video and HDTV interfaces,
as well as the transmission speed of their choice, based on their
quality requirements. The entire network has been designed to offer
high reliability, multiple redundancy, fully diverse route options,
and fast switching capability.
|
